Title: So They Lied
Author: CJ aka WritinginCT
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Pairing: Jack/OFC
Rating: Teen – PG13
Warnings: AU, Angst in later chapters
Disclaimer: I don't own the recognizable characters I'm just inspired by them. Hopefully they've had fun playing in my sandbox.
Comments: AU. Jack often has a look of loss and pain in his eyes. Was it all from losing his son or has he lost more than everyone knows?
Feedback: Love it? Hate it? Want to offer me a book deal to write original fiction?
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Jack was surveying his handiwork in the front yard as he took a long swig and finished his beer. The shrubs were neatly trimmed and all that was left to do was just rake up the trimmings. It was a gorgeous day and it felt great to just be out in the fresh air and sunshine. He had been really looking forward to his days off, the nice weather was just icing on the cake. He put the bottle down on the front step and picked up the rake.
He was almost finished raking when he realized he had a visitor, of the four-legged variety. The little fawn colored boxer was happily sniffing all the corners of his yard and her little body started kidney-beaning in excitement when she saw him. Seeing that she had a collar Jack assumed that she had made a grand escape on her owners. He crouched down and whistled with his hand extended. The little boxer didn't think twice and flew over to him and proceeded to wash his hand and face and anything else she could reach. Jack laughed in spite of himself. Holding gently onto her collar so she couldn't bolt he tried to read the name her tag, and hoped to find a telephone number. He found a name and number all right but it was for an out of state area code, not uncommon around a military facility. He also found her name, Peanut.
"C'mon Peanut. Let's go call your owners. Bet they are looking for ya." Jack slipped his belt off his jeans and used it as a makeshift lease. He managed to pen her on his deck and went inside to get the phone, a fresh beer, and a bowl of water for the dog. Heading back out he sat on one of the lounge chairs and stretched his legs out. The dog instantly jumped up between his legs and rested her head on his thigh. Jack smiled and shook his head as he absently stroked her head. He was surprised as he really looked at her that she had a big scar across the top of her head, almost hidden in her normal boxer wrinkles. He also noticed that her eyes didn't really seem to focus. She must have been injured at some point.
As he stroked her head he realized how much he would like to have a dog of his own. But with the unreliable schedule that he kept it was impossible, his houseplants barely survived. He drank his beer and enjoyed the fresh air and the undemanding company of his little guest. It was days like this that made him want a normal life. Knowing when he would be home, sleeping in his own bed, not having to lie to everyone he met about what he did for a living, being able to find someone and settle down, maybe coach little league, just be normal.
He finished his beer and decided his little pity party was over. He picked up the phone to dial the number on Peanut's tag when he heard a woman's voice near the road calling Peanut's name.
He looked down at the dog and laughed, "You're busted. Let's go." He slipped his belt through her collar again and headed down the driveway.
He saw a very attractive woman on the sidewalk with a leash in hand. He guessed her to be in her early thirties a little on the short side at about five three, athletic but not scrawny. She had dark wavy chestnut brown hair that brushed her shoulders. He couldn't see her eyes but he was betting green. She looked very at ease in her jeans and t-shirt.
He saw the relief wash over her face when she saw he and Peanut walking towards her. Peanut's little body bending itself in half back and forth in excitement to see her owner.
"You found my little runaway." the woman smiled at Jack. Her eyes flashing with humor.
They were green. Give that man a cigar.
"Actually she found me. She decided I needed a break from the yard work." Jack countered. He realized that she wasn't as young as he first thought, probably closer to her late thirties. A perfectly acceptable age to compliment a young at heart colonel. Especially since he did not see a wedding ring.
"Sorry about that. She snuck out on me while I arguing with the movers."
Jack reached out and held out his hand for the leash she was holding, she handed it to him and he clipped it on Peanut and reclaimed his belt. "No big deal. She's very friendly."
She took the leash he handed to her, "Overly so. I'm Diana by the way." She said as she extended her hand to him.
"Welcome to the neighborhood Diana, I'm Jack." he shook her extended hand and felt a warm shiver shoot right up his arm and down his spine. He couldn't remember the last time he had that sort of a reaction to a woman.
"Thanks. I just wish I had left a trail of breadcrumbs to get home. You wouldn't know how to get back to Waverly Street would you?"
"Uh, yeah. Go four blocks up and take a right and go another three blocks and you'll run into it."
"Well that's not so bad."
Jack was trying to figure out how to be subtle. And subtle wasn't his strong suit. "Look if you want to use the phone to call your husband…" he gestured towards his house.
She gave him a little fake grimace that turned into a smile, "God I haven't had one of those in years. You?"
"A husband? Can't say that I have. Had this thing called a wife once though." They both laughed. And it was a free and flirty thing.
"Well Jack I will let you get back to your yard work. Thanks again for taking care of Peanut."
"Anytime. And if you're ever in the neighborhood just stop by."
"I just might hold you to that Jack." she said with a wink as she turned to go.
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Later after his yard work was done Jack decided to go to the grocery store and get something, anything that he could throw on the grill. The weather was just too nice not to enjoy being outside.
He found a beautiful piece of salmon and was heading for the section of the store where the barbecue supplies were kept to get a cedar plank to grill it on. As turned the corner he was surprised to see Diana inspecting one of those cheap little round charcoal grills that would collapse in a good breeze.
"Stop right there. That is not a grill, that is no where even close to being a grill."
She recognized the voice and laughed as she turned towards him, "Really, then what would you call it Jack? An incense burner?"
He smiled, "An ashtray maybe?" He stepped closer to her and took the flimsy grill out of her hand. "One hamburger would kill this thing."
She made an adorable, well Jack thought it was adorable anyway, pout face and teased, "I know but the weather must be going to my head. I have this insane craving to make a salad, have a cold beer and grill up this piece of salmon and hang out on my deck to avoid unpacking." she laughed as she held up a white wrapped packaged from her basket. "But I don't have a grill so I was hoping this one would do the job."
This was insanity, had to be. Jack didn't believe in coincidences. Not anymore. And almost before he could stop himself he said, "I have an idea. Why don't you come over to my place for dinner, I have the Cadillac of grills, a deck, beer, and a matching piece of salmon. This thing, " he put the grill down, "is a fire hazard."
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"This is crazy." Diana thought to herself as she pulled into Jack's driveway. She looked over at Peanut in the passenger seat and said to her, "I can't believe we are having dinner at a total stranger's house. It's all your fault."
The dog looked at her like she had lost her mind but then in the next instant was prancing around excitedly at something beyond Diana's shoulder. "He's standing right there isn't he? Thanks a lot Peanut."
Somehow she just knew Jack was standing there. Listening to her talk to the dog. He must think she's crazy. She turned towards her driver's side door and sure enough there was a smiling Jack.
He opened her door for her and teased, "Does she ever answer?"
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They were incredibly comfortable with each other. Working together in the kitchen they chatted lightheartedly about the neighborhood and the surrounding area as they made a salad and prepared the salmon for the grill. When they moved out to the deck the conversation moved onto books and music and art and everything but work. Both avoided the subject not really wanting to lie. But it came up it was inevitable. And it was Jack, who knew better, that brought it up.
"So what brought you to the Springs? New job?"
Her stomach did a flop, she hated lying to people about what she did for a living but it had to be done, "Sort of. I'm here to work on a project, I'm a librarian of sorts." And because she wanted to steer the conversation away from what she did she asked, "So what do you do Jack?"
"Middle management, lots of paperwork and personnel stuff." He lied smoothly.
Peanut saved the day by choosing that moment to roll over on her back in the grass with her feet in the air and bark. She was just being very silly and Jack and Diana both got a good laugh at her expense.
The whole evening was just perfect and they were both a little sad to see the time pass so quickly. It had gotten late and Jack walked her and Peanut out to her car. Peanut happily hopped into the car and took up her spot in the passenger seat.
They stood there for a minute like nervous teenagers when Jack finally smiled and said, "Oh hell," as he leaned in and kissed her. And it surprised them both, because it was smoldering and comfortable and just right. And because the first one went so well they shared a second and it only got better.
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Jack insisted on showing her the town the next day. He showed her the boring but important stuff like the pharmacies and the dry cleaners and told her which auto garage not to use. Then he showed her the fun stuff, the little ice cream shop that made all their own flavors, the music store that specialized in classical music, the antique shop run by a colorful woman in her nineties, and a bunch of other well-hidden oddities.
They had packed a cooler with some sandwiches and fruit and he showed her some of his favorite out of the way places to hike and fish. Peanut enjoyed her time out in the sun immensely and would look back at the humans as if to say "hurry up" as they trailed behind her holding hands.
Holding hands. Through the course of the morning she had noticed that she and Jack were very comfortable touching each other. It started with touches on the arm to bring the other's attention to something, and moved on to Jack putting his hand in the small of her back as he held open doors for her, to bumping hips when one or the other made a bad joke. And now they were walking, holding hands. As if they had known each other their whole lives and not just a day.
As the day wore down Jack insisted that they go back to his house and throw some chicken on the grill and chill out on the deck.
"I don't want to wear out my welcome Jack." Diana teased.
"Never happen."
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They had eaten a light dinner and as the night settled in Diana found herself standing at the railing of the porch swaying along gently to a song playing on the radio. Jack came out from the kitchen with fresh beers and saw her. Putting them on the table he stepped over to Diana and asked, "May I have this dance?"
The music was very low, giving the neighbors nothing to complain about. Diana had lost track of how many songs they had danced to it just didn't matter. The music could stop altogether and they would still be dancing.
She pulled back a bit so she could see his face and saw his serious expression. With a little smile she teased softly, "Whatcha thinking?"
Jack licked his lower lip nervously and whispered in a low voice, "I was wondering what you would think of me if I asked you to stay tonight."
Tilting her head she replied, "Depends on what you would think of me if I stay."
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Jack had loved, and a part of him still loved, his ex-wife Sara. She had taught him the difference between having sex and making love. And he knew without question that he would be making love with Diana. He didn't know how he knew, it was just a feeling.
When they reached his bedroom he could see she was shy, almost nervous. So was he truth be told. He kissed her gently and said softly, "If you're not sure about this…"
She shook her head lightly and said, "It's not that, it's just…"
"Just what?"
She looked embarrassed and dropped her eyes, "Can we turn the lights off?"
He lifted her chin and brought his mouth to hers and fused it there as he walked forward, making her walk backwards until her back reached the wall. Jack took a moment to enjoy the feel of her pressed against him and reached over and hit the light switch bathing the room in darkness.
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Jack woke the next morning to an empty bed. He grunted and frowned. He shuffled off to the bathroom and put on some sweat pants and found Diana sitting with coffee on the steps to the deck while Peanut happily sniffed around the yard.
He sat next to her and any doubts he had disappeared when she gave him a wide smile and said, "Good Morning."
"Hey. I woke up and you were gone."
"Peanut needed to go out or else there would have been puddles in the house."
"Ah. Good plan then. I'm going to get coffee."
He poured some coffee and headed back out to the deck, sitting down again he said, "Did I say good morning?"
She grinned, "Sort of."
He leaned in close and said huskily, "Good morning." And kissed her.
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They spent the day at her condo, trying to get the furniture in place and the boxes at least in the right rooms. Diana was in the kitchen fixing them sandwiches for lunch when Jack appeared holding a smaller box with a puzzled look on his face.
"Where does this one go? You don't have a room named Springfield." He saw her grimace playfully as she saw what box it was and him pointing to the lettering in red marker.
"Er. Um. Living room is fine I guess."
"Should I even ask?"
"No. It's just a testament to my inner child."
"Okay now I'm really nosy."
"No laughing." She teased and wagged a finger at him before taking the box out of his hands and putting it on the counter opened it.
When Jack saw what was in the box he said the first thing that came to his mind, "D'oh." And he started laughing, and laughed harder with each piece of the Simpsons memorabilia she pulled out.
"Just call me Lisa."
Jack almost had tears running down his face he was laughing so hard. "No one would ever believe me. A librarian that likes the Simpsons."
"I like a lot of things Jack."
He took a step towards her with a playful little glint in his eye and trapped her between his body and the counter, "Really? Care to elaborate?"
"Nope. That would take all the fun out of things."
"Guess I'll just have to go with trial and error then." He said as he tangled his hands in her hair and kissed her playfully.
The playful quickly turned to passionate that was unfortunately broken by the sound of a whining Peanut needing a nature break.
They both groaned and Jack took Peanut while Diana finished fixing lunch. They spent the rest of the afternoon making her house livable and finally collapsed on the couch later that night with a pizza and a movie.
After the movie they didn't even have to ask and when Jack woke the next morning at five he dressed quietly and leaned over to give her a kiss, "I have to go, I have to work today."
She grinned and teased, "Bummer. Me too. So much for spending the day in bed."
"Tease."
"Come for dinner tonight?"
He kissed her again, "Wouldn't miss it."
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Jack spotted Daniel in the hallway, "Daniel you hungry? I'm heading down to the commissary. I'm starving." He'd forgotten how much sex increased his appetite and he certainly burned off a lot of calories during the previous two days. The thought of those two days was enough that he had to bite down the big grin he felt trying to spread across his face.
"Yeah sure. I just have to drop these lists off to the new archive specialist. It will just take a second."
The two men walked in comfortable silence to an office at the end of the hall, one of the 'broom closet' offices, barely big enough for a desk. Jack was lost in an internal argument he was having with himself about sending Diana flowers versus bringing her flowers. He had just decided on the latter when Daniel knocked politely and a voice from inside bid them to enter.
The men entered and Jack found himself face to face with Diana.
They were both floored but attempted to keep the surprise off of their faces.
It took Jack a heartbeat to realize that Daniel was talking to him, "Jack have you met Diana Canning? She is the specialist designing the new archival system. Today is her first day. Diana, this is Colonel Jack O'Neill leader of SG1 and second in command of the SGC."
Diana let out the breath that she was holding and extended her hand, "Colonel O'Neill it's nice to meet you."
Jack was still dumbfounded and Daniel picked up on it but didn't comment. Jack finally took her extended hand and mumbled, "Miss Canning, welcome to the SGC." He reluctantly let go of her hand. A hand that had teased and turned him on like nobody's business in bed, a hand that fit so well in his when they danced on the deck, a hand that played in his hair while they watched a movie on the couch. Her hand. For god's sake he just shook her hand. Like they didn't know each other. Like nothing happened.
They didn't say another word. Daniel broke the uncomfortable moment, "Diana here is the primary list that I promised you. I have two research assistants putting together the secondary lists and should have them for you in a day or so."
"Excellent. I'm really anxious to get started. Designing such a multi-disciplined archive system is going to be quite the challenge."
"And then some. Diana we are heading for lunch would you care to join us?"
She stole a quick look at Jack then answered Daniel, "Maybe a raincheck, I'm still settling in today."
"Anytime. And if there is anything you need please let me know. I know who to nag." and he indicated Jack with a nod of his head.
"I will be sure to do that Daniel thanks. Colonel, enjoy your lunch."
Jack still didn't know what to say, "Um. Yeah. " And he walked out with Daniel not far behind.
Daniel was puzzled and borderline annoyed at Jack's treatment of Diana, "Jack I know you don't like civilians on the base but you don't have to be rude right off the bat."
"Sorry just got a lot on my mind Danny."
He hadn't been involved with the new archive project, it was Daniel's department and everything was going through General Hammond. He didn't know Diana was working here. A librarian she had said. She lied. Well sort of. But then again so did he. Oh man, why did he feel things crashing and burning around him. He had to talk to her. Soon.
He managed to get through lunch with Daniel and as they left the commissary he told Daniel he had things to take care of and would talk to him later. When Daniel was safely out of sight down the hall Jack made a U-turn back into the commissary and grabbed a tuna sandwich, an apple, and a bottle of water and headed back to Diana's office.
He knocked softly and she bid him to enter just as she had done before. This time though when she saw he was alone a playful little smirk appeared on her face. Jack closed the door behind him and smiled back at her.
"A librarian huh?"
"Middle management huh?"
They both laughed and Jack felt a huge weight off his chest. She wasn't mad.
"I brought you lunch. I know how you scientific types loose track of time and forget to eat."
"Thanks Jack. Oops, Colonel." she teased.
"You're welcome Miss Canning." he teased back.
"This is weird on so many levels Jack. I'm sorry I had to lie to you about what I do for a living."
"Yeah me too. I've done it for so long its like second nature but I hate it."
She got a more serious expression on her face, "So what does this revelation mean for…" she didn't want to say 'us' because she didn't know if they were an 'us' yet. But Jack was on her wavelength and knew what she was asking.
"Well you are a civilian so that is one obstacle that we don't have to worry about. You don't work for me directly, so there is another obstacle gone. The only issue might be if something happened to General Hammond and I had to step in, but I don't think that's a major concern. I don't see us having any real problems. We might want to disclose our, "and Jack gulped somewhat nervously, "relationship to Hammond just so he's aware but other than that it's nobody's business but ours."
Diana stood there blinking and trying to remember to breathe, had he just said "our relationship"?
Finding her voice, "Okay. Do you think we should still be discreet about the whole thing though? Because even if we are completely professional you know that there will still be talk."
Jack let out a sigh, "I don't want to hide it but maybe we should keep it out of the mountain. But what we do on our own time is up to us." He gave her a reassuring smile.
"Still planning on coming over tonight?" she asked with a lascivious little grin.
"Um. Yeah." he laughed.
"Good. Now let me get back to work Colonel."
Jack took a step towards her, "Yes Miss Canning." and he gave her a quick kiss, "Welcome to the SGC."
Daniel saw Jack walking down the hall away from Diana's office with a happy little grin on his face, and assumed that he had apologized to Diana for his earlier behavior and she had won him over with her outgoing personality. He just had no way of knowing when exactly she had won Jack over.
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TBC…. Feedback appreciated!